Sec. 2611.

(1) The department shall coordinate the health services research, evaluation, and demonstration and health statistical activities undertaken or supported by the department.

(2) The department shall establish policy consistent with this part to administer health services research, evaluation, and demonstration and health statistical activities undertaken or supported by the department. In establishing the policy the department shall consider the following interests:

(a) The individual's right and reasonable expectation of privacy concerning its use, including the protection of privileged communications and the expectations of the individual when giving the information.

(b) The freedom of persons to do business.

(c) The public's interest in the protection of private rights.

(d) The public's interest in the free access to governmental information.

(e) The protections necessary to encourage persons to provide information.

(f) The individual's interest in being informed of dangers of which he or she would not otherwise be aware.

(g) The public's interest in the effective use of available data to protect and promote the health of individuals and the public as a whole.

(h) The public's interest in the effective and efficient management of governmental activities.

(i) The individual's interest in data about himself or herself.

(j) The interests of other governmental entities in preparing reports.

(3) The department may establish a nonprofit corporation pursuant to the nonprofit corporation act, Act No. 162 of the Public Acts of 1982, being sections 450.2101 to 450.3192 of the Michigan Compiled Laws. The purpose of the corporation shall be to plan, promote, and coordinate health services research with a public university or a consortium of public universities within the state. The corporation may research, evaluate, and demonstrate all of the following:

(a) The cause, effects, extent, and nature of illness and disability among all or a particular group of the people of this state.

(b) The impact of personal illness and disability on the economy of this state and the well-being of all or a particular group of the people of this state.

(c) Environmental, laboratory, social, and other health related issues.

(d) The health knowledge and practices of the people of this state.

(e) The quality and availability of health resources in this state including, but not limited to, health care institutions and health professions.

(f) The determinants of health and nutritional practices and status including, but not limited to, behaviors that are related to health.

(g) Access to and use of health care services by all or a particular group of the people of this state including, but not limited to, the use of ambulatory health care services. The access and use may be categorized by specialty and type of practice of the health professional or health facility providing the service.

(h) Health care costs and financing including, but not limited to, trends in health care costs, sources of payments, and federal, state, and local expenditures for health care services.

(i) Public health policies and programs.

(j) Other issues considered appropriate by the board of directors of the corporation.

History: 1978, Act 368, Eff. Sept. 30, 1978 ;-- Am. 1989, Act 264, Imd. Eff. Dec. 26, 1989 Compiler's Notes: For transfer of certain powers and duties of the Michigan public health institute from the department of public health to the director of the department of community health, see E.R.O. No. 1996-1, compiled at MCL 330.3101 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.Popular Name: Act 368